BREAKING: Struggling SF Giants make four roster moves

UPDATE, 1:30 p.m.: Clearly, one of the Giants’ biggest problems has been the front end of the bullpen since Chad Gaudin moved to the rotation. Once a starter leaves, the relievers have had a tough time keeping small leads from becoming big leads.

The front office wanted to exhaust all experienced options before turning to their kids.

Tonight, they are turning to a kid.

The Giants have designated Ramon Ramirez for a assignment and recalled Jake Dunning, a 24-year-old right-hander who has an impressive 1.75 ERA in 23 games for Triple-A Fresno. He also has 31 strikeouts against 10 walks in 36 innings. The Giants drafted Dunning in the 33rd round of the 2009 draft, from Indiana University.

Ramirez, a member of the 2010 World Series team, just couldn’t get outs and allowed runs in six of his seven outings. The Giants have 10 days to trade him or waive him. Chances are he’ll just outrighted after 10 days, when he’d have the choice to return to Fresno or become a free agent.

The Giants also made a move for the offense, bringing back catcher Hector Sanchez and optioning Brett Pill to Fresno.

Manager Bruce Bochy liked the versatility he had with three catchers to start the season, but the Giants had to send Sanchez down to get at-bats. He got 50 of them and hit .320 with four doubles and a home run.

The Giants are in a stretch of 36 games in 37 days leading to the All-Star break. Buster Posey is going to need more days off than he’s had, and Guillermo Quiroz has not come close to providing the offense needed on days when Posey is off.

Pill rarely was used. The Giants are convinced beyond doubt now that Brandon Belt can handle left-handed pitching, and he’s getting all the starts.

Return here for more information after our daily chat with Bochy, scheduled for 2 p.m. PDT.

The new players are due to land at 6:30 Pittsburgh time.

ORIGINAL POST: Matt Cain threw a perfect game a year ago tonight. He doesn’t need to be perfect, but he needs to be like he was in Arizona six nights ago (7 IP, 1 ER).The Giants are facing Charlie Morton in his 2013 debut, following Tommy John surgery. Tony Abreu had a nice game Wednesday night, and he’s a switch-hitter, but Nick Noonan gets the start.